TV Review: DEXTER 6.11, 'Talk To The Hand'
Although “Talk to the Hand” included a lot of morbid, detectivey action and touched on what could potentially make for the best season ever next year, it’s far too indicative of all the failings this season has committed to truly be a success.
rating: 3
Well, the audience was told these last few episodes of Dexters sixth season would set the stage for the next two seasons so at least showrunner Scott Buck followed through on one story thread this year. Too bad it had to come in at the end of the season as opposed to consistently following through on either of the other two major motifs that were so heavily hyped up earlier this season. While Talk to the Hand, like last episode, was a fairly exciting, satisfactory episode in and of itself, in relation to the rest of this season as well as to the announcement of the next two seasons, it pretty much fails to accomplish what it is so obviously attempting in the eyes of anyone whos been paying attention. And in case anyone out there seriously doubts whether Travis will be killed before bringing harm to Harrison, Ill ask you to remember what happened to the last person who painted Dexters face on a wall while attempting to attack Dexters kids Lila. In fact, anyone who even looks at Dexs kids the wrong way will definitely die (remember Nathan the pedophile from season three?), its one of the things I like best about Dexter. Lets get out of the way what didnt work then move on. Not to harp on what was already addressed last week, but despite how talented an actor Colin Hanks is, being so suddenly tasked with such a crucial additional layer to his character so late in the season is just too big a pill for me to swallow. Travis has so abruptly shifted from the timid, well-intentioned, misguided figure to maniacal mastermind/super-criminal that its like were dealing with a whole new character, which would be fine except theres been zero explicit explanation for this transformation; its been completely up to the audience to fill in the blank and assume that, Oh, I guess since Dexter confronted him with Gellars body, Travis personalities have now merged? The fact that overall this phantom explanation rests entirely on the shoulders of Hanks performance points to lazy writing. Its another neglected opportunity to explore a fascinating psychological issue in favor of trying to deliver suspenseful, action-packed plotting that falls flat precisely because no matter how exciting the action may be, it will not be compelling without proper emotional context. For example, I was genuinely curious as to how the overly sensational Wormwood poison gas scare would be averted and was satisfied with the outcome, but I never believed there was a real possibility it would go off. I also didnt understand how the tableau which was supposed to resemble a lake of fire would be achieved through poison gas. Poison gas seems devoid of aesthetic value and uncharacteristically blunt considering Doomsdays previous work. The literal ring of fire which Dexter was trapped in for all of six seconds, however, would make much more sense as the tableau. It seems the side effects from Dexters exposure to the poison gas occurring at the worst possible moment were not only painfully frustrating and predictable to watch, but also the sole reason for Wormwood in the first place. The whole thing just felt like a clumsy game of cat and mouse as opposed to anything substantial which would elevate the themes of religion or dual personalities that have been laid on so thick earlier in the season. In fact, ever since Brother Sam died, the only religious allusions anymore are vague examples of fanaticism perpetrated by DDK and company and the minor instances in which Dexter uses common sense, such as when calling the police to warn them of the poison gas, and then loosely attributes that consideration to having barely walked a spiritual path. In place of the religious themes, now were supposed to buy that all the religious imagery and discussions of spirituality between Sam and Dex were merely because Dexter wants to be a good dad to Harrison, something thats already been covered and better contributed to since the third season. Its like the writers realized they couldnt live up to the intriguing and ambitious task of exploring religion and spirituality through a character whom considers himself amoral and therefore cowardly abandoned ship to tread water where they know their feet could safely touch bottom. Speaking of clumsy and weak, I appreciate all the time thats been invested in building up exactly how much Dexter means to Debra because it will inevitably lead to her finding out his big secret which I believe could be the best thing to ever happen to this series, but the whole incestuous complex feelings stuff Debs therapist planted in her head felt grossly unnecessary. Granted Deb has a history of choosing less than ideal romantic partners (including one serial killer), to suggest shes done so on purpose, even subconsciously, because she has unexplored and complicated romantic feelings for her brother is unwarranted and inappropriate. Despite Deb and Dex not being related by blood, because they grew up together theres no reason for her therapist to suggest Debra wants Dexter romantically. One thing weve learned about family over the course of six seasons of this series is that experience and being there for one another makes family, not genetics. Maybe Im just being defensive because the entire thing feels icky, but that whole dream sequence thing just felt like it was veering way too far into territory that the show has no business getting lost in. Plus the dream itself is characteristic of the bait and switch tactic that seems to define the sixth season. But I am truly grateful for all the foreshadowing to Deb finding out about Dexter going on this episode including when Dexter tells Debra regarding Matthews to stay open-minded because there are worse secrets you can have. Another example of backing away from high stakes was Angels fiery brush with death. Im happy Angel survived because I like the character very much, but while it was adequately suspenseful as at this point in the series I believe Angel could have been potentially killed off, I was disappointed Quinn wasnt. He needs to put up or shut up and by that I mean Quinn needs to die. Anderson will be such a better Doakes than Quinn ever was and not just because hes black. Anderson will continue to be the tough as nails no nonsense detective while Quinn can continue to drink and whine on another series. The other character that looks like hell be leaving in disgrace is former Chief Matthews. I like this development as it puts LaGuerta firmly in the place of the evil political bitch that shes always aspired to be in without any of the sympathy the character has occasionally elicited from the audience in the past. Id much rather watch her and Deb duke it out without Matthews present as the middle man. Finally, the one aspect of this season which I feel was handled exceptionally well this episode is the character Louis and the gradual revelation that he not only has an affinity for Dexter and serial killers, but that he definitely knows who and what Dexter is and I think its because Louis is Dexters brother. When I saw Louis prepping and packaging the missing Ice Truck Killer amputee hand after he thanked Dexter for his honesty regarding Louis first person serial killer RPG because it has motivated him to not sit on the sidelines and participate, I got chills (anyone else catch the music previously reserved for the Ice Truck Killer being played?). I understand this may potentially feel like previously covered territory if Louis does turn out to be a second blood-related, previously unknown, murderous family member, however, considering how little we do know for sure about Louis, I think this could develop into the most exciting and relevant element of the series since the fourth season. Think about it Louis appears to be a novice when it comes to the community that Dexter, Brian, Trinity, Jordan Chase, The Tooth Fairy, Miguel Prado and even The Skinner have been a part of. Hes in no way as experienced or even a fraction as self-aware as those characters were. He definitely has urges and desires to somehow be a part of this community, but hasnt necessarily crossed that line yet. Consider the inherent potential this character has, especially if the writers explore this issue not only on an individual level, but on an anthropological level. The series could explore how a person enters this community as a relatively sane adult as opposed to a traumatized child, as well as whom else constitutes this sub-population. And how poignant will the series become if the next season is comprised of themes of family wherein Debra the foster sister hesitantly helps Dexter pursue Louis the blood brother who slowly grows into everything Dexter has fought to resist? Although Talk to the Hand included a lot of morbid, detectivey action and touched on what could potentially make for the best season ever next year, its far too indicative of all the failings this season has committed to truly be a success. Ill always appreciate something that shoots high and misses big more than that which plays it safe, but that doesnt mean I can excuse poor execution, especially when that something cant decide if it wants to go big or go home. As always Ill remain optimistic but it seems unlikely that the season finale can salvage the uneven tone and lack of follow through this season has exhibited on the whole. By the way, I offer my sincerest apologies for submitting this review almost an entire week late. Last weekend was my birthday and I was bombarded with unexpected amounts of love, alcohol, and a surprise holiday to a secluded cabin in the mountains and it wasnt until just hours ago that I had the opportunity to truly sit down and watch Talk to the Hand and devote enough time to properly evaluate it. You all can expect my review of the season finale, This Is How the World Ends to be posted on time. Talk to you then.